KK Our New Hero-Malaysiakini

Hats off to our new defender of the Indian Community, one KK Eswaran (wonder why it is not Kenneth Eswaran, fear perhaps of implications), who is Malaysian Association of Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MAICCI) president. To my mind, this guy has no right whatsoever to comment on the plight of the Indians, as by an earlier admission, that came in Malaysiakini, he toasted the Indians by claiming:

his total failure to see the relevance of what P Waythamoorthy and Denison Jayasooria have done so far

how it is hearsay to say Government does not help Indians, quoting his case of getting help for the scrap dealers through the help of Najib – applause and much sounds of joy – though those in the know of Ji, would have not been perturbed.

Indians can’t be spoon-fed, they must embark on their own

the Hindraf rally in November 2007 was not necessary.

Here was this gentleman telling everybody who listened, come on guys, what you are doing is wrong, speak to the Government, do not demonstrate or take to the streets. KK must have been on a long holiday, and missed the fact that Hindraf and Bersih rallies culminated in a strong opposition to the ruling Barisan Nasional.

He was torn into smithereens by fellow bloggers who questioned his real intention were.

But now, perhaps to assuage his self confidence and to be in the right side of the fence, talks in support of the dead Kugan, his family, Hamid Albar, for his inappropriate comment on taking action against the Deputy Ministers, and a final plea justice must be done.

Do we need fellows of this chameleon character to voice their comments, now that Samy is hibernating.

I have reproduced both of KK’s 2 statements, to know the real picture.

KK Eswaran, Malaysian Association of Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MAICCI) presidentI think the first thing to do is to think about the family of the boy who died (Kugan). Home Minister Syed Hamid Albar must make sure that the matter is properly investigated and he must take action.
The credibility of the police who are there to protect the public is at stake. Taking the statements of the deputy ministers (who entered the morgue at Serdang Hospital) should not be the priority of the Home Minister. It is uncalled for.
Instead those responsible for the death of Kugan must be brought to justice. Anyone who has a child wants to know how did it happen? Kugan’s family have the right to know as soon as possible.

Indian business group’s chief slams gov’t critics

S Pathmawathy | Jan 23, 09 5:13pm

KK Eswaran, the president of the Indian-based business group, the Malaysian Associated Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Maicci), has lashed out at government critics for negative remarks on the country’s leadership.

The activities of banned movement Hindu Rights Action Force (Hindraf) leader P Waythamoorthy and Human Rights Commission (Suhakam) commissioner Denison Jayasooria, topped Eswaran’s grievances.“We regret Waythamoorthy’s inconsiderate action in circulating a pamphlet tarnishing the image of his own country at a conference with seditious remarks and unjustified statistics, plus a call to the Indian government to impose trade sanctions against Malaysia such as to stop importing palm oil from Malaysia,” said Eswaran (photo).
Eswaran was referring to Waythamoorthy’s stint in India during thePravasi Bharatiya Divas Convention in Chennai, where the self-exiled Waythamoorthy had declared that Malaysian Indians are ill-treated and marginalised.
At a press conference in Petaling Jaya today, Eswaran blasted Waythamoorthy for being ungrateful “to the land he calls home and the land that he has made his living”.
“Firstly, he being a Malaysian who feels Malaysia is his home, (why) would he ever tarnish his home’s image in a world convention?”
“Why do we need the interference of a third party to solve our problems…after 52 years of independence and peace we have people like Waythamoorthy (ruining the name of the country),” said Eswaran.A proper way in approaching gov’t
“What he is talking about is not relevant and there is no truth to any of his stories,” he exclaimed.
Furthermore, the businessman reiterated that the issues of minority and majority is not an issue in Malaysia alone (but) an issue in almost all the democratic countries.
Asked about the perception of the Indian community on the matter of marginalisation and their doubts on the BN-led government, Eswaran said: “There is a proper way in approaching the government…and it is not by demonstration and taking to the streets”.
Eswaran stressed that the Maicci had many successful encounters with government and accomplished many feats via dialogue sessions and meetings.
“For instance, when we approached the deputy prime minister to sort the scrap-metal licensing problem…he promised he will take the issue to the cabinet and it was solved not long after,” said Eswaran.He added that Hindraf’s street protest in 2007 which saw a crowd of some 30,000 people in the streets of Kuala Lumpur, was “in the interest of an individual, not the community”.
Eswaran also criticised Suhakam commissioner Jayasooria for claiming that government efforts to uplift the Indians were delayed and for asking the Indian government, during the convention, to send a task force to survey the situation of local Indians.He said statements by Jayasooria, who was once the former executive director of Social Strategic Foundation (YSS), a foundation established by the MIC to eradicate the social ills and problems related to the Indian community, was “certainly not encouraged or be supported substantially”.Chinese cannot be PKNS general manager

“While he was the executive director of YSS, he repeatedly mentioned that the government, MIC and YSS are working towards the development of the Indians. But presently, he is no longer in YSS, he has changed his tune altogether,” said Eswaran.He explained that government efforts to increase and prosper the participation of the Malaysian Indians is an “on-going” process.
“Proposing foreign representatives to undertake a fact-finding mission to Malaysia is certainly irrational from a person who is sitting in various government missions and Malaysia does not need the interference from other countries,”
“How has the community benefited from all of that…how many problems have been solved ever since?” he asked.
Eswaran also stressed that he was speaking in the interest of the Indian community and in his capacity as an Indian businessman.
Moreover, he said that the public have got to stop thinking that the government should “spoon-feed” them with opportunities and embark on their own efforts to improve their wealth.“Is the opposition as multi-racial as they promised…look at what happened in Selangor,” said Eswaran referring to the replacement of Low as the acting general managerof Selangor Development Corporation (PKNS).
Beginning Feb 1, Low’s position would be taken over by Othman Omar following controversies on the grounds that she is Chinese.
“The BN government is the only government that can lead this multi-racial country … although we must have an opposition, it must be an opposition that is genuine to the people,” he said.